Terrariums: Everyone has room for these small, enclosed-container gardens. They’re easy to create and maintain, and they offer a miniature world that’s an escape from the hustle and bustle of life.
Succulent Gardens: They’re the most forgiving of any type of garden. People are busy and getting busier, and succulents are nice and low-maintenance. With the hot, dry summers we’ve been having, they’re also a great way to satisfy our “zone envy” and conserve water. When I plant a succulent garden, I don’t touch it all summer other than a little grooming and admiration. They can also come inside for the winter.
Open-Pollinated Plants: People are becoming aware of genetic diversity and supporting pollinator populations, so there’s been increased interest in varieties of old-fashioned, open-pollinated plants. Varieties such as Verbena bonariensis (a tall, loose annual with lavender flower clusters), Strawberry Fields Gomphrena (a lovely orange/red globe flower, great for bouquets), and Butterfly Weed (a brilliant orange bloom, available in perennial and annual varieties) are all beautiful magnets for bees and butterflies.
Edible Landscaping: So many plants double as ornamental and edible: North Star Cherry Trees, blueberry shrubs, Swiss chard, kale. They make eating locally and nutritiously easy all summer long.
Color: Maybe it’s economic optimism or folks are just feeling more cheerful, but we’re seeing more bright color in the garden now: oranges and yellows, as well as plants that are more tonal and work together—gray-greens with bright chartreuse. Coleus is a hot, rediscovered plant with a great color palette—you can get varieties in everything from rust to chartreuse, and it’s a perfect complement to other plants in the garden. –Mo Perry
